DIY & Crafts

Paper Fans

DIY & Crafts

Paper Fans

These cheerful fans are so enchanting, just looking at them will make you swear you feel a breeze. Gather a bunch in a colorful bucket; stand them upright in pails of sand (or wedges of watermelon); or hand them out, wait one second, and watch wrists start gently waving.

1. Stack the paper and measure its width. Divide the width by two. Subtract 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the width, and make a note of the number, then add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the width, and make a note of that number. Cut the paper into two pieces using the two measurements. (For example, if the paper is 10 inches [25.4 cm] wide, half the width is 5 inches [12.7 cm]. Subtract 1 inch [2.5 cm], and you get 4 inches [10.2 cm]. Add 1 inch [2.5 cm], and get 6 inches [15.2 cm]). The goal is to end up with two strips of paper, one slightly smaller than the other.

2. Stack two different paper colors, one piece smaller and one larger, with the smaller piece centered on top of the larger. Fold them accordion style, with the depth of the folds matching the width of the craft sticks.

3. Holding the folded accordion in one long strip, trim the ends at a 45Âº angle. Tightly secure the center of the accordion with a small piece of colored wire. When you finish, the wired piece should look like a bow tie.

4. Pull up the two top edges of the bow tie, and glue the edges together, holding them with clothespins until the glue dries.

5. Attach a craft stick to each bottom edge of the bow tie with glue. Hold everything in place with clothespins until the glue dries.

6. Remove the clothespins, join the craft sticks, and wrap a small piece of wire around the sticks to keep the fan open.

Relationships

4 tips for making new friendships

Relationships

4 tips for making new friendships

Research shows that we all benefit from social interaction—even introverts. It's natural to want to cozy up at home and enjoy some alone time, but you can have too much of a good thing. "New research shows that everyone needs social contact, not just those who are outgoing and socially at ease," says Montreal psychologist Dr. Susan Pinker. "Introverts need to be in contact with others, too, though they may need to be with fewer people at a time and they may need to be in control of when and how much social contact they get."

In a study released in 2015, U.S. researchers found that social isolation and living alone increase mortality risk by 29 percent and 32 percent, respectively, which means even those who say they are alone and happy are at increased risk. The takeaway? Don't be afraid to brave the weekend crowds from time to time. It could extend your life.Four tips for making new connections

1. Build social contact into every day Make regular social commitments: scheduling a biweekly lunch with a friend, participating in a sport, signing up for a class or volunteering. "Going to the same place at the same time every week ensures you'll find other people doing exactly the same thing," says Montreal psychologist Dr. Susan Pinker. "Soon enough, they'll be part of your village."2. Use technology to be social, not antisocial We're increasingly using our personal devices to communicate without leaving the house. Texting and messaging, as well as dating apps like Tinder, make us virtually invisible. "Use your digital devices to make plans to see people for genuine social interaction," says Dr. Pinker. "Don't use your devices to replace face-to-face contact, or you will feel lonelier than you did before."

3. Have reasonable expectations Seeking new connections and friendships is a great strategy, but University of Chicago psychology professor John T. Cacioppo recommends taking it slow. "Don't focus on finding the love of your life or reinventing yourself all at once," he says. Volunteer activities, such as helping out at an animal shelter or coaching a kids" soccer team, will elicit the most positive outcome. "You may begin to feel positive sensations that can reinforce your desire to change while also building confidence."4. Don't overextend yourself "Committing to doing too many things for too many people in an effort to open ourselves up to connection can make us feel overworked and stressed out," says Cacioppo. "The whole point is to be available to the common bond of humanity." Have a realistic perception of how much you can take on along with your other daily commitments.

Contests

Our 60-Day Holiday Countdown Giveaway is on!

From November 2 to December 31, 2016, we're giving away weekly prizes (for a total value of over $15,000) as part of our 60-Day Holiday Countdown.

For easy access to our weekly prizes, sign up for our 60-Day Holiday Countdown newsletters and you'll receive a daily email featuring a link to enter that week's contest, along with Tested Till Perfect holiday recipes, awesome gift guides, DIY decor ideas and more. You can enter to win each prize once daily until each contest closes.

You can enter to win this week's prize below, and see past contests and winners.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Crispy Maple Coconut Tuiles

These beautiful cookies make for an elegant holiday gift. Bake them in small batches, keeping a watchful eye so they don't brown too quickly. To achieve the delicate curved shape, drape the cookies over a rolling pin while still warm.

Butterhorns

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Pizzelle: The Italian Cookie

The special press needed to shape these unique cookies is easily found in kitchenware stores. You'll want to lightly grease it before using to prevent sticking. Give this Italian cookie recipe a try at your next family get-together.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Chinese Almond Cookies

Traditionally served during the holidays and Chinese New Year, these crumbly melt-in-your-mouth cookies have three layers of almond flavour. Ground almonds add a hint of crunch, almond extract lends a sweet aroma and whole almonds make for a pretty garnish.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Kourambiedes

Each of these almond shortbreads is studded with a whole clove, a symbol of the Magi's gift of spices to the Christ Child. Kourambiedes are served in the Greek community not only at Christmas, but also christenings, weddings, name days — in fact, at all festive occasions.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Linzer Cookies

These jam-filled sandwich cookies are based on one of Austria's most famous desserts, the Linzertorte. For soft, chewy cookies, assemble a day in advance. For crispier cookies, sandwich the same day as serving.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Rugalahs

Rugalahs are one of the most requested Hanukkah cookies, now popular year-round. When the nut and fruit crescents bake, they ooze ever so slightly, and this rich filling gets crisp and caramel-like around the crescents.

International Cookies for The Great Cookie Exchange

Festive Fortune Cookies

These crispy cookies are far easier to make than you might think, thanks to our simple shaping trick (hint: it involves the rim of a glass!). Write your own personalized messages on notepaper and fold them into the cookies for a heartwarming end to a festive meal.